KARACHI: Out of total 19,004 polling stations, over 1,3000 have been declared sensitive and highly sensitive, it emerged on Wednesday.

Addressing a joint press conference along with Information Minister Ahmed Shah, caretaker Home Minister retired Brigadier Haris Nawaz said that there were 5,954 normal, 6,593 sensitive and 6,457 highly sensitive polling stations.

He said a total of 122,000 policemen were included in the security measures, including 1,984 personnel from the Pakistan Army.

He said that CCTV cameras had been installed on 4,500 sensitive polling stations. “Cameras in polling stations without electricity will be powered by solar panels,” he added.

The home minister said that services from various departments, including anti-corruption, forest department, FIA and health workers would also be available for election duties. “Efforts are being made to avoid the need for private security officers,” he added.

Brig Nawaz said there would be a complete ban on display of weapons during the general elections.

“Private security guards accompanying any voter for his security will not be allowed to display their arms,” he said adding that private guards coming with a voter could sit inside their vehicle without displaying their weapons.

He said that there should be no doubts that the preparations for the election were complete, saying that the responsibility for conducting elections lay with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The information minister said that an election cell was being established for journalists, which would operate 24 hours.

He assured that he would personally monitor the issues arising in interaction with journalists. “All necessary facilities will be provided to journalists in the election cell,” he said.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2024